Quiet – Encrypted P2P team chat with no servers, just Tor (github.com)

Article summary

Quiet is a peer-to-peer team chat application that uses Tor for encryption and does not require a central server. It allows users to create communities and invite members, with features such as end-to-end encryption, channels, and file sharing. The application is still in development and lacks some basic features, but it is intended to provide a private and secure alternative to traditional chat platforms. Quiet is open-source and welcomes outside contributions.

Main themes

• Peer-to-peer chat
• End-to-end encryption
• Tor and IPFS
• Decentralized infrastructure
• Privacy and security
• Feature parity
• Self-hosting vs centralized solutions
• Free software movement

What commenters say

• Some commenters argue that Quiet's focus on privacy and security may not be enough to replace popular chat platforms like Discord and Slack, which offer more features and convenience.
• Others believe that Quiet's approach is a step in the right direction, as it prioritizes user privacy and security over corporate-controlled infrastructure.
• There is disagreement about whether self-hosted solutions are more or less secure than centralized ones, with some citing the risks of self-hosting and others pointing out the vulnerabilities of centralized platforms.
• Some commenters suggest that Quiet is not yet a viable alternative to Discord and Slack due to its limited features and lack of polish.
• The use of IPFS and Tor in Quiet's architecture is seen as both a strength and a weakness, with some praising its potential for security and others questioning its scalability and efficiency.
• The importance of feature parity with existing chat platforms is debated, with some arguing that it is essential for adoption and others believing that it is not necessary for a private and secure alternative.
• The trade-offs between convenience, features, and security are a major point of discussion, with some prioritizing one over the others.
• The potential for Quiet to spark a new phase of the free software movement is seen as a positive outcome by some, while others are more skeptical about its impact.